What are the responsibilities and job description for the Director, Research and Evaluation position at CJP - Combined Jewish Philanthropies?
Brief Description
Passion. Purpose. Impact. CJP is at the heart of Greater Boston's Jewish community, but our reach is felt around the world. Ranked by BBJ as Massachusetts’ largest non-profit organization – CJP is a philanthropic investor and mobilizer of people, resources, and skills that make a bigger difference locally and globally.
As Director of Research and Evaluation, you will shape how CJP understands and amplifies its impact. Working in close partnership with the Associate Vice President of Research and Evaluation, you will help set the direction for evaluation and learning across the organization and ensure insight is embedded into strategic decision-making. You will ensure the execution of evaluation and measurement across a diverse portfolio of work—from targeted program initiatives to organization wide strategic priorities—ensuring that insight and learning are embedded at every level.
In this role, you will support turning data into meaningful stories and clear, actionable insights that inform leaders, partners, and the broader community. You will collaborate closely across the organization to support shared learning and evidence informed decision-making, helping teams ask the right questions and use findings to drive improvement.
You will manage complex projects and external partners, including communitywide studies and research vendors, while advancing a culture of curiosity, reflection, and continuous improvement. Through a test–measure–learn–iterate approach, you will help CJP learn what works, adapt what doesn’t, and strengthen the impact of its work over time.
CJP is not able to offer visa sponsorship for this position. Candidates must be authorized to work in the United States without visa sponsorship.
Essential Functions
Evaluation Design & Strategic Learning
Requirements
Education:
CJP provides a unique opportunity to leverage your skills, talents, and experience to benefit the greater good while fostering your professional growth. You will work in a dynamic environment with a diverse group of individuals who share your commitment and enthusiasm. Together, we make a difference for both Jews and non-Jews in Greater Boston and worldwide. We offer competitive salaries, comprehensive benefits, and a supportive, family-friendly work environment.
CJP Core Commitments
CJP is guided by our Core Values— Respect, Caring, Collaboration, Integrity, and Innovation— that ground our work and shape the culture we create together.
For more information about CJP, visit www.cjp.org and https://www.cjp.org/about-us/careers/find-a-job
Equal Opportunity Statement
CJP is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. We do not discriminate based on race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status.
Accommodation Disclaimer
CJP is dedicated to fostering an inclusive environment for individuals of all abilities and backgrounds. We provide reasonable accommodations to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions. Upon request, reasonable accommodations in the application process will be provided to individuals with disabilities.
CJP conducts background checks as part of the hiring process.
Passion. Purpose. Impact. CJP is at the heart of Greater Boston's Jewish community, but our reach is felt around the world. Ranked by BBJ as Massachusetts’ largest non-profit organization – CJP is a philanthropic investor and mobilizer of people, resources, and skills that make a bigger difference locally and globally.
As Director of Research and Evaluation, you will shape how CJP understands and amplifies its impact. Working in close partnership with the Associate Vice President of Research and Evaluation, you will help set the direction for evaluation and learning across the organization and ensure insight is embedded into strategic decision-making. You will ensure the execution of evaluation and measurement across a diverse portfolio of work—from targeted program initiatives to organization wide strategic priorities—ensuring that insight and learning are embedded at every level.
In this role, you will support turning data into meaningful stories and clear, actionable insights that inform leaders, partners, and the broader community. You will collaborate closely across the organization to support shared learning and evidence informed decision-making, helping teams ask the right questions and use findings to drive improvement.
You will manage complex projects and external partners, including communitywide studies and research vendors, while advancing a culture of curiosity, reflection, and continuous improvement. Through a test–measure–learn–iterate approach, you will help CJP learn what works, adapt what doesn’t, and strengthen the impact of its work over time.
CJP is not able to offer visa sponsorship for this position. Candidates must be authorized to work in the United States without visa sponsorship.
Essential Functions
Evaluation Design & Strategic Learning
- Serve as a key thought partner to the AVP in shaping evaluation strategy and priorities across CJP.
- Plan and ensure execution of research and evaluation projects of varying scope and scale, from discrete program evaluations to organization-wide strategic initiatives.
- Design and implement evaluation frameworks, logic models, and measurement plans in partnership with both internal stakeholders and external grant partners.
- Serve as a thought partner to internal staff, content and cohort leads, and cross-functional teams on evaluation approaches and learning questions.
- Support a strong organizational culture of learning by integrating data and insights into decision-making through training, tools, and shared lessons learned.
- Data Analysis & Insight Communication
- Oversee quantitative and qualitative data collection and analysis across evaluations and studies.
- Develop and implement data collection tools (e.g., surveys, interview guides, evaluation instruments) aligned with organizational needs.
- Collaborate with the AVP to synthesize findings into clear, compelling insights and present results to senior leadership, boards, committees, and external stakeholders.
- Create reports, presentations, and materials that effectively communicate impact and learning to diverse audiences.
- In coordination with the AVP, provide end-to-end oversight for CJP’s community research studies, including scoping, design, implementation, analysis, and reporting.
- Support cross-departmental coordination with operations, marketing, development, and external partners throughout the community study lifecycle.
- Manage stakeholder engagement, including working with community leaders, partner agencies, volunteer groups, and consultants to define research priorities and scope.
- Develop and manage RFPs; lead vendor selection, contracting, and oversight of external research partners.
- Review and guide all study related materials produced by vendors, including research design, instruments, analysis, and reports.
- Special projects as required; may include collaborative assignments with other departments.
- Other duties as assigned with or without accommodation.
- Hybrid Work Schedule: CJP staff follow a hybrid work model. On-site work is required on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, while remote work is an option on Mondays, Thursdays, and Fridays with occasional in-person meetings on those days.
- Physical Requirements: This role involves remaining in a stationary position, often sitting or standing for prolonged periods, primarily working at a computer. Staff need to be able to carry a laptop and bag to and from the office.
Requirements
Education:
- Master’s degree in statistics, public policy, nonprofit management, or related field.
- 5-7 years of successful experience in research, evaluation, or program management roles (preferably in a nonprofit, human service or government organization).
- 1 years of project management experience preferred.
- Deep expertise in research, evaluation, and measurement, including rigorous evaluation design and applied methodologies.
- Strong quantitative and analytical skills, with experience using statistical software (e.g., STATA, SPSS) and managing complex datasets.
- Experience designing surveys and using research tools such as Qualtrics, Power BI, or Tableau to generate clear, compelling insights.
- Ability to translate data and analysis into actionable recommendations for diverse audiences.
- Proven success leading complex, multi-stakeholder projects and managing external research partners.
- Skill in synthesizing complex information, prioritizing work effectively, and communicating clearly in writing, presentations, and conversation.
- Ability to bridge theory and practice, applying academic or technical knowledge to real-world decision-making.
- Sound judgment and discretion in handling confidential and sensitive information.
- Comfort working independently and collaboratively in a dynamic, evolving environment.
- Flexibility, adaptability, and a sense of humor, along with curiosity and a commitment to continuous learning.
CJP provides a unique opportunity to leverage your skills, talents, and experience to benefit the greater good while fostering your professional growth. You will work in a dynamic environment with a diverse group of individuals who share your commitment and enthusiasm. Together, we make a difference for both Jews and non-Jews in Greater Boston and worldwide. We offer competitive salaries, comprehensive benefits, and a supportive, family-friendly work environment.
CJP Core Commitments
CJP is guided by our Core Values— Respect, Caring, Collaboration, Integrity, and Innovation— that ground our work and shape the culture we create together.
For more information about CJP, visit www.cjp.org and https://www.cjp.org/about-us/careers/find-a-job
Equal Opportunity Statement
CJP is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. We do not discriminate based on race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status.
Accommodation Disclaimer
CJP is dedicated to fostering an inclusive environment for individuals of all abilities and backgrounds. We provide reasonable accommodations to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions. Upon request, reasonable accommodations in the application process will be provided to individuals with disabilities.
CJP conducts background checks as part of the hiring process.